Image reader device

ABSTRACT

An image reader device includes a display unit, a contact glass having a setting surface, an image reader unit, and a control unit. Before the control unit controls the image reader unit to perform normal reading for reading a document area corresponding to a size of the document set on the setting surface, the control unit controls the image reader unit to perform check reading for reading a checking area having a sub-scanning direction length set to a predetermined length smaller than that of the document area, and controls the display unit to display a preview image corresponding to read data of the checking area obtained by the check reading.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromthe corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-119600 filed Jun.27, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to an image reader device including acontact glass.

When the image reader device includes the contact glass (documenttable), a document is set on a setting surface of the contact glass. Theimage reader device reads the document set on the setting surface. In acopy job, image data for the job is generated based on read dataobtained by reading the document. Then, an image based on the image datafor the job is printed on a paper sheet.

SUMMARY

An image reader device according to one aspect of the present disclosureincludes a display unit, a contact glass, an image reader unit, and acontrol unit. The display unit performs displaying. The contact glasshas a setting surface on which a document is set. The image reader unitincludes a light source that emits light to the document set on thesetting surface, an image sensor that receives reflection lightreflected by the document so as to read the document, and a movingmechanism that moves the light source in a sub-scanning direction sothat a reading line for the image sensor to read is moved in thesub-scanning direction. Before the control unit controls the imagereader unit to perform normal reading for reading a document areacorresponding to a size of the document set on the setting surface, thecontrol unit controls the image reader unit to perform check reading forreading a checking area having a sub-scanning direction length set to apredetermined length smaller than that of the document area, andcontrols the display unit to display a preview image corresponding toread data of the checking area obtained by the check reading.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of amultifunction peripheral according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a structure of an image reader unit ofthe multifunction peripheral according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a setting surface of a contact glass ofthe multifunction peripheral according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating states where a document cover is openedand closed in the multifunction peripheral according to one embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a structure of the multifunctionperipheral according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a process performed by acontrol unit of the multifunction peripheral according to one embodimentof the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a reading area in check readingperformed by the image reader unit of the multifunction peripheralaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a preview image displayed on anoperation panel when a document set on the contact glass is inclined inthe multifunction peripheral according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state where a bundle of documentsheets is set on the contact glass of the multifunction peripheralaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a state where a bundle of documentsheets is set on the contact glass of the multifunction peripheralaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a state where a book document is seton the contact glass of the multifunction peripheral according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a state where a book document is seton the contact glass of the multifunction peripheral according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating reading areas of check reading andadditional check reading performed by the image reader unit of themultifunction peripheral according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a preview image and an additionalpreview image displayed on the operation panel of the multifunctionperipheral according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, there is described an image reader device according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure, with an example of a multifunctionperipheral having a plurality of functions such as a scan function and aprint function.

<Structure of Multifunction Peripheral>

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a multifunction peripheral 100 of thisembodiment includes an image reader unit 1 and a printer unit 2. Themultifunction peripheral 100 corresponds to the “image reader device”.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the image reader unit 1 includes a lightsource 11, an image sensor 12, a mirror 13 and a lens 14. The lightsource 11, image sensor 12, the mirror 13, and the lens 14 are disposedinside a casing 101 of the image reader unit 1. A contact glass 10 isattached to an upper part of the casing 101. The upper surface of thecontact glass 10 is a setting surface 10S on which a document D is set.The image reader unit 1 reads the document D set on the setting surface10S.

The setting surface 10S has a rectangular shape having long sides in aleft and right direction of the device in a plan view as illustrated inFIG. 3. Out of four sides of the setting surface 10S, a pair of shortsides is parallel to a main scanning direction (in a front and reardirection of the device), while a pair of long sides is parallel to asub-scanning direction (a direction perpendicular to the main scanningdirection). A size of the setting surface 10S is larger than a maximumdocument size that can be read by the multifunction peripheral 100 inthe specification. Therefore, when the maximum size document D is set onthe setting surface 10S, it does not cover the entire setting surface10S.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the casing 101 is provided with adocument cover 102. The document cover 102 is opened and closed withrespect to the upper surface (the setting surface 10S) of the casing101. For instance, a pivot shaft 103 is disposed at a rear part of thecasing 101. The document cover 102 is supported by the pivot shaft 103in a rotatable (openable and closable) manner. The document cover 102has a front part as a free end, and rotates in such a manner that thefront part swings up and down. In this way, by lifting up or down thefront part of the document cover 102 in the up and down direction, thedocument cover 102 can be opened or closed with respect to the settingsurface 10S.

When the document cover 102 is opened, the setting surface 10S isexposed, and the document D can be set on the setting surface 10S (seethe upper part of FIG. 4). When the document cover 102 is closed, thedocument cover 102 covers the setting surface 10S (see the lower part ofFIG. 4). In order to set the document D on the setting surface 10S, auser opens the document cover 102. After setting the document D on thesetting surface 10S, the user closes the document cover 102. When thedocument cover 102 is closed, the document cover 102 presses downwardthe document D on the setting surface 10S.

With reference to FIG. 2 again, the light source 11 emits light to thecontact glass 10 (as shown by a double-dotted dashed line in FIG. 2).The light passes through the contact glass 10 and illuminates thedocument D on the setting surface 10S. The light source 11 includes aplurality of LED elements. The plurality of LED elements are arrangedlinearly in the main scanning direction (the direction perpendicular tothe paper of FIG. 2). The reflection light reflected by the document D(shown by a double-dotted dashed line in FIG. 2) is reflected by themirror 13 and is led to the lens 14. The lens 14 focuses the reflectionlight.

The image sensor 12 receives the reflection light reflected by thedocument D so as to read the document D. The image sensor 12 includesline sensors corresponding to R, G, and B colors, respectively. The linesensor of each color is constituted of a CCD including a plurality ofphotoelectric conversion elements aligned linearly in the main scanningdirection. When the image sensor 12 receives the reflection light fromthe document D (the light focused by the lens 14), it performsphotoelectric conversion and accumulates its charge for each pixel byline unit. Then, the image sensor 12 outputs an analog signal (RGBsignal) corresponding to the accumulated charges.

Further, the image reader unit 1 includes a moving mechanism 16. Themoving mechanism 16 moves a carriage 60. The carriage 60 moves in thesub-scanning direction. The carriage 60 holds the light source 11 andthe mirror 13.

The moving mechanism 16 includes a motor 60M. Further, the movingmechanism 16 includes a winding drum 61 and a wire 62. The wire 62 isconnected to the carriage 60 and the winding drum 61. The winding drum61 receives drive power from the motor 60M and rotates. When the windingdrum 61 rotates, the carriage 60 moves in the sub-s canning direction.In other words, the light source 11 moves in the sub-scanning direction.

When the image reader unit 1 reads the document D, the carriage 60including the light source 11 moves in the sub-scanning direction (fromthe left to the right in the device). The light source 11 emits light tothe contact glass 10 while the carriage 60 is moving in the sub-scanningdirection. As the light source 11 moves in the sub-scanning direction,the reading line of the image sensor 12 moves in the sub-scanningdirection. The image sensor 12 performs photoelectric conversion of thereflection light reflected by the document D, continuously andrepeatedly. In this way, reading of the document D is performed by lineunit.

With reference to FIG. 1 again, the printer unit 2 conveys a paper sheetP along a sheet conveying path (shown by a broken line arrow in FIG. 1).Further, the printer unit 2 forms an image (toner image) to be printed.Then, the printer unit 2 prints (transfers) the image on (to) the papersheet P being conveyed. In a copy job, the printer unit 2 prints theimage of the document D read by the image reader unit 1 on the papersheet P.

The printer unit 2 includes a sheet feed unit 21, a transfer unit 22,and a fixing unit 23.

The sheet feed unit 21 includes a sheet feed roller. The sheet feedroller pulls out the paper sheet P stored in a paper sheet cassette CA,and feeds the same to the sheet conveying path. Further, the sheet feedunit 21 includes a separating mechanism. The separating mechanism isdisposed on a downstream side of the sheet feed roller in a sheetconveying direction. The separating mechanism separates the paper sheetsP pulled out from the paper sheet cassette CA one by one.

The transfer unit 22 includes a transfer roller pair. The transferroller pair includes a photosensitive drum and a transfer roller. Thephotosensitive drum carries a toner image. The transfer roller ispressed to contact with the photosensitive drum, so as to form atransfer nip between the photosensitive drum and the transfer roller.The transfer roller pair rotates so as to convey the paper sheet Pentering the transfer nip while transferring the toner image to thepaper sheet P.

Further, the transfer unit 22 includes a charging device, an exposingdevice, and a developing device. The charging device charges thephotosensitive drum. The exposing device forms an electrostatic latentimage on the photosensitive drum. The developing device develops theelectrostatic latent image into a toner image.

The fixing unit 23 includes a fixing roller pair. The fixing roller pairincludes a heating roller and a pressure roller. A heater is embedded inthe heating roller. The pressure roller is pressed to contact with theheating roller so that a fixing nip is formed between the heating rollerand the pressure roller. The fixing roller pair rotates so as to conveythe paper sheet P entering the fixing nip while fixing the transferredtoner image on the paper sheet P to the paper sheet P. The paper sheet Pafter passing through the fixing nip is discharged onto a discharge trayET.

Further, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes an operation panel 3.The operation panel 3 is provided with a touch screen 31. The touchscreen 31 includes a display panel and a touch panel. The touch screen31 displays messages and software buttons, so as to receive a touchoperation of the user. Here, the touch screen 31 (the display panel)displays a preview image P1 described later (see the lower part of FIG.8). In this structure, the touch screen 31 corresponds to a “displayunit”.

The operation panel 3 is provided with a start button 32, too. The startbutton 32 is a hardware button. The start button 32 receives a startoperation of the user, which instructs to read the document D. When usermakes an operation of pressing the start button 32, this operation isreceived as the start operation. Note that the operation panel 3 isprovided with various hardware buttons other than the start button 32.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the multifunction peripheral 100includes a control unit 4. The control unit 4 controls the image readerunit 1 and the printer unit 2. Further, the control unit 4 is connectedto the operation panel 3. The control unit 4 controls a displayoperation of the touch screen 31 and detects an operation performed tothe touch screen 31. In addition, the control unit 4 detects anoperation to the hardware button such as the start button 32.

The control unit 4 includes a CPU 41, an analog processing unit 42, andan image processing unit 43. The CPU 41 performs various processing(calculation) based on a program and control data. Further, the CPU 41gives a control instruction to a scan control unit 110 described later(controls the reading operation of the image reader unit 1).

The analog processing unit 42 includes an amplifier circuit, an A/Dconversion circuit, and the like. The analog processing unit 42 convertsan analog signal output from the image sensor 12 into digital data (readdata). The image processing unit 43 includes an image processing circuit(such as an ASIC). The image processing unit 43 performs imageprocessing on the read data so as to generate job image data (image datato be used for various jobs such as a copy job). Further, the imageprocessing unit 43 performs image processing on the read data, so as togenerate display image data (display data of the preview image P1described later).

The control unit 4 is connected to a storage unit 5. The control unit 4performs writing of information into the storage unit 5 and reading ofinformation from the storage unit 5. The storage unit 5 includes storagedevices such as a ROM, a RAM, and an HDD.

The control unit 4 is connected to a communication unit 6. Thecommunication unit 6 includes a communication circuit. The communicationunit 6 is connected to a communication network. The communicationnetwork is connected to external devices 200 such as a personalcomputer, a server, and a facsimile machine. The control unit 4communicates with the external devices 200 using the communication unit6. As the multifunction peripheral 100 is connected to the externaldevices 200 in a communicable manner, the multifunction peripheral 100can perform a transmission job for sending image data to the externaldevices 200.

Further, the image reader unit 1 includes the scan control unit 110. Thescan control unit 110 includes a scan control circuit (such as a CPU)and a scan memory. The scan control unit 110 is connected to the controlunit 4. The scan control unit 110 controls individual portions of theimage reader unit 1 on the basis of the control instruction from thecontrol unit 4. The scan control unit 110 controls a light emissionoperation of the light source 11. The scan control unit 110 controls thereading operation of the image sensor 12. The scan control unit 110controls the motor 60M (controls the movement of the light source 11 inthe sub-scanning direction). Note that it is possible to adopt aconfiguration in which the control unit 4 directly controls the lightsource 11, the image sensor 12, and the motor 60M. In this case, thescan control unit 110 can be eliminated.

<Reading of Document>

In a job accompanying reading of the document D, the user sets thedocument D on the setting surface 10S. A state where the document D isset on the setting surface 10S is illustrated in FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, thedocument D is shown with a dot pattern. Note that the copy job, thetransmission job, and the like correspond to the job accompanyingreading of the document D.

After setting the document D on the setting surface 10S, the userpresses the start button 32. In other words, the user performs the startoperation. When the control unit 4 detects the start operation, itdetermines that it has received a request to perform the reading jobaccompanying reading of the document D. When receiving the request toperform the reading job, the control unit 4 controls the image readerunit 1 to perform reading of the document D set on the setting surface10S (hereinafter referred to as a set document D).

Before controlling the image reader unit 1 to read the set document D,the control unit 4 detects a size of the set document D (a main scanningdirection width and a sub-scanning direction length of the set documentD). A method for detecting the size of the set document D is not limitedparticularly.

For instance, the operation panel 3 receives an input of valuesindicating the size of the set document D. The control unit 4 detectsthe size of the set document D on the basis of an input values input tothe operation panel 3. Note that the input of the size may be receivedbefore the document D is set, or it may be received after the document Dis set (after the start button 32 is pressed).

When detecting the size of the set document D, the control unit 4 sets adocument area, which is an area corresponding to the size of the setdocument D, as the reading area. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3,the area with a dot pattern is the document area. Then, the control unit4 controls the image reader unit 1 to read the document area. In thefollowing description, reading of the document area is referred to asnormal reading and is discriminated from check reading described later.

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 3, one of a pair of sides facing in thesub-scanning direction (a pair of sides parallel to the main scanningdirection) of the setting surface 10S is set as a first reference sideRS1, and one of a pair of sides facing in the main scanning direction (apair of sides parallel to the sub-scanning direction) of the settingsurface 10S is set as a second reference side RS2. Further, anintersection between the first reference side RS1 and the secondreference side RS2 is set as a reference position RP.

For instance, the left side of the setting surface 10S is set as thefirst reference side RS1. Further, the upper side of the setting surface10S is set as the second reference side RS2. In this case, the upperleft corner position of the setting surface 10S is the referenceposition RP.

Further, a line along the first reference side RS1 is set as a readstart line SL in the normal reading performed by the image reader unit1. In other words, when the control unit 4 controls the image readerunit 1 to perform the normal reading, it controls the same to startreading from the read start line SL.

Therefore, when setting the document D on the setting surface 10S, theuser adjusts a corner of the document D to the reference position RP.Further, the user adjusts one of four sides of the document D to thefirst reference side RS1 and adjusts another side to the secondreference side RS2. In this way, the set document D is ideally notinclined.

When the image reader unit 1 finishes the normal reading, the controlunit 4 generates the job image data based on the read data obtained bythe normal reading. Further, if the job to be performed is the copy job,the control unit 4 controls the printer unit 2 to print the image basedon the job image data (the image of the set document D) on the papersheet P. If the job to be performed is the transmission job, the controlunit 4 performs transmission of the job image data to the externaldevices 200 using the communication unit 6.

<Support Function>

When the user closes the document cover 102, the set document D receiveswind pressure. In some cases, the set document D may move (e.g., the setdocument D is lifted). As a result, an improper normal reading may occurin a state where the set document D is inclined (the position of the setdocument D on the setting surface 10S is deviated from a properposition). Further, for example, if the set document D is a hardcoverbook document, spread facing pages to be read may be inclined though thebook document is set in such a manner that covers (and the spine)thereof are not inclined.

Accordingly, the multifunction peripheral 100 has a support function forsupporting a checking operation (an operation performed by the user) forchecking whether or not the set document D is inclined. The operationpanel 3 receives setting of enable or disable of the support function isfrom the user. If the support function is set enabled, the control unit4 performs a supporting process. In this way, an inclination of the setdocument D can be easily checked.

Hereinafter, with reference to a flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6, a flowof the supporting process performed by the control unit 4 is described.The flow of the flowchart illustrated in FIG. 6 starts when the controlunit 4 detects that the operation panel 3 has received a first startoperation (the operation of pressing the start button 32), after thedocument D is set on the setting surface 10S.

In Step S1, the control unit 4 determines whether or not the supportfunction is set enabled. If the control unit 4 determines that thesupport function is set disabled, the process flow proceeds to Step S2.In Step S2, the control unit 4 controls the image reader unit 1 toperform the normal reading.

In Step S1, if the control unit 4 determines that the support functionis set enabled, the process flow proceeds to Step S3. In Step S3, thecontrol unit 4 controls the image reader unit 1 to perform the checkreading.

When the control unit 4 controls the image reader unit 1 to perform thecheck reading, it sets a predetermined checking area C1 as a readingarea of the check reading. A position of the checking area C1 in thesetting surface 10S is illustrated in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the checkingarea C1 is shown with hatching.

The checking area C1 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. Out of foursides of the checking area C1, one pair of facing sides are parallel tothe main scanning direction, and the other pair of sides are parallel tothe sub-scanning direction.

A sub-scanning direction length W1 (corresponding to a “predeterminedlength”) of the checking area C1 is determined in advance and is smallerthan a sub-scanning direction length of the document D that can be areading target. Although not limited particularly, the length W1 of thechecking area C1 is ½ or smaller of a sub-scanning direction length of asmallest size out of standard sizes that can be copied by themultifunction peripheral 100. Therefore, the length W1 of the checkingarea C1 is smaller than the sub-scanning direction length of the setdocument D (a sub-scanning direction length of the document area). Forinstance, the length W1 of the checking area C1 is approximately 50 mm.

A main scanning direction width W2 of the checking area C1 is the sameas a maximum reading width in the main scanning direction of the imagesensor 12. In FIG. 7, for convenience sake, the width W2 of the checkingarea C1 (the maximum reading width in the main scanning direction of theimage sensor 12) is the same as the main scanning direction width of thesetting surface 10S, but the maximum reading width in the main scanningdirection of the image sensor 12 may be smaller than the main scanningdirection width of the setting surface 10S.

Further, when the control unit 4 controls the image reader unit 1 toperform the check reading, it controls the same to start reading fromthe read start line SL along the first reference side RS1, in the samemanner as in the normal reading. In other words, one of a pair of sidesfacing in the sub-scanning direction of the checking area C1 coincideswith the first reference side RS1 (the read start line SL).

In the check reading performed by the image reader unit 1, the checkingarea C1 having the sub-scanning direction length smaller than that of areading area of the normal reading (the document area) is read, andother area than the checking area C1 is not read. Therefore, the timefrom start until completion of the check reading (reading time) isshorter than that of the normal reading.

With reference to FIG. 6 again, after the process of Step S3, theprocess flow proceeds to Step S4. In Step S4, the control unit 4generates the preview image P1 corresponding to read data of thechecking area C1 obtained by the check reading (see the lower part ofFIG. 8). Then, the control unit 4 controls the touch screen 31 todisplay the preview image P1.

For instance, it is supposed that the user performs the start operationin a state shown in the upper part of FIG. 8 (a state where the setdocument D is inclined). In this case, the preview image P1 shown in thelower part of FIG. 8 is displayed on the touch screen 31. In this way,the user can easily know a set state of the set document D (aninclination of the set document D). In other words, it can be determinedwhether or not to reset the document D.

With reference to FIG. 6 again, after the process of Step S4, theprocess flow proceeds to Step S5. In Step S5, the control unit 4determines whether or not the operation panel 3 has received apredetermined permission operation. For instance, when the control unit4 detects that the operation panel 3 has received the start operation(the operation of pressing the start button 32) again after controllingthe touch screen 31 to display the preview image P1, it determines thatthe operation panel 3 has received the permission operation. In thisstructure, the start button 32 corresponds to an “operation unit”. Notethat it may possible that the touch screen 31 displays a permissionbutton (a software button), so that a touch operation to the permissionbutton is received as the permission operation. For instance, thepermission button is disposed in the screen including the preview imageP1.

In Step S5, if the control unit 4 determines that the permissionoperation is received, the process flow proceeds to Step S2. In Step S2,the control unit 4 controls the image reader unit 1 to perform thenormal reading. In this way, before the image reader unit 1 performs thenormal reading, a set state of the set document D can be checked on thebasis of the preview image P1. If an inclination of the set document Dis beyond a permissible range, the permission operation should not beperformed.

In Step S5, if the control unit 4 determines that the permissionoperation is not received, the process flow proceeds to Step S6. In StepS6, the control unit 4 determines whether or not a predetermined time(e.g. approximately 7 seconds) has elapsed after the preview image P1 isdisplayed on the touch screen 31. For instance, the time necessary for areset work (a work performed by the user) for resetting the document Don the setting surface 10S is determined by a manufacturer of themultifunction peripheral 100 and is set as the predetermined time.

In Step S6, if the control unit 4 determines that the predetermined timehas not elapsed, the process flow proceeds to Step S5. In other words,if the permission operation is performed before the predetermined timeelapses, the image reader unit 1 starts the normal reading.

In Step S6, if the control unit 4 determines that the predetermined timehas elapsed, the process flow proceeds to Step S3. When proceeding fromStep S6 to Step S3, the control unit 4 controls the image reader unit 1to perform the check reading again. After that, the process flowproceeds to Step S4. In this case, the control unit 4 controls the touchscreen 31 to display the preview image P1 corresponding to the read dataof the checking area C1 obtained by the latest check reading, instead ofthe current preview image P1.

In this way, if the user performs the reset work before thepredetermined time elapses, a new preview image P1 indicating a setstate of the set document D after the reset work is displayed on thetouch screen 31. After that until the user performs the permissionoperation, the image reader unit 1 performs the check reading everypredetermined time, and the preview image P1 corresponding to the readdata of the checking area C1 obtained by the latest check reading isdisplayed on the touch screen 31.

As described above, the multifunction peripheral 100 (the image readerdevice) of this embodiment includes: the touch screen 31 (display unit)that performs display; the contact glass 10 having the setting surface10S on which the document D is set; the image reader unit 1 includingthe light source 11 that emits light to the set document D set on thesetting surface 10S, the image sensor 12 that receives reflection lightreflected by the set document D so as to read the set document D, themoving mechanism 16 that moves the light source 11 in the sub-scanningdirection so as to move the reading line for the image sensor 12 to readin the sub-scanning direction; and the control unit 4. Before thecontrol unit 4 controls the image reader unit 1 to perform the normalreading for reading the document area corresponding to a size of the setdocument D set on the setting surface 10S, it controls the image readerunit 1 to perform the check reading for reading the checking area C1having the sub-scanning direction length set to the predetermined lengthW1 smaller than that of the document area, and controls the touch screen31 to display the preview image P1 corresponding to the read data of thechecking area C1 obtained by the check reading.

In the structure of this embodiment, the check reading is performedbefore the normal reading. Then, the preview image P1 corresponding tothe read data of the checking area C1 obtained by the check reading isdisplayed on the touch screen 31. In this way, it is possible to allowthe user to check a set state of the set document D (an inclination ofthe set document D) before performing the normal reading. Here, as aresult of checking the preview image P1, if an inclination of the setdocument D is beyond a permissible range, the user performs the resetwork. As a result, it is possible to prevent the normal reading frombeing performed in the state where the set document D is inclined.

Further, the reading area of the check reading (checking area C1) has asub-scanning direction length smaller than that of the reading area ofthe normal reading (the document area). In other words, a movementdistance in the sub-scanning direction of the carriage 60 (the lightsource 11) in the check reading is smaller than that in the normalreading. Therefore, the check reading is finished immediately. In thisway, the preview image P1 can be displayed in short time (a set state ofthe set document D can be checked by the user in short time).

Here, in the structure in which the image reader unit 1 performs thecheck reading, a set state of the set document D (an inclination of theset document D) can be automatically determined on the basis of the readdata of the checking area C1 obtained by the check reading. Forinstance, in the automatic determination process for automaticallydetermine the a state of the set document D, it is determined whether ornot the set document D is inclined, on the basis of an inclination of anedge image of the set document D appearing in the read data of thechecking area C1.

However, if the reading target is a document page of a bundle of stapleddocument sheets, the following inconvenience occurs. This inconvenienceis described below with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIGS. 9 and 10illustrate cases where there are two pages in the bundle of documentsheets, for convenience sake.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, a document page to be read (a document page of thelower side) is denoted by D11, the other document page is denoted byD12, and a stapled part is denoted by SP. Further, the document pagesD11 and D12 are shown with dot patterns. In order to easily discriminatebetween the document pages D11 and D12, dot densities are differentbetween the document pages D11 and D12. In addition, the sides of thesetting surface 10S are shown by thick lines.

Note that in the examples shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the document pagesD11 and D12 are overlapped in this order on the setting surface 10S.Accordingly, in FIGS. 9 and 10, a part of the contour of the documentpage D11 covered by the document page D12 is shown by a broken line.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the document page D11 (the readingtarget) protrudes to the outside of the setting surface 10S (thedocument page D11 is inclined). In other words, a part of a side of thesetting surface 10S is covered by the document page D11. In FIG. 9, apart of the sides of the setting surface 10S covered by the documentpage D11 is shown by a thick broken line.

On the other hand, in the example illustrated in FIG. 9, the documentpage D2 is not inclined. In other words, one side of the document pageD12 parallel to the main scanning direction coincides with the firstreference side RS1 (the read start line SL), and another side of thedocument page D12 parallel to the sub-scanning direction coincides withthe second reference side RS2. In this case, an edge image of thedocument page D12 that is not inclined is detected as a determinationtarget. As a result, in the automatic determination process, it isdetermined that the reading target is not inclined although the documentpage D11 is actually inclined.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the document page D11 (thereading target) is not inclined. In other words, one side of thedocument page D11 parallel to the main scanning direction coincides withthe first reference side RS1 (the read start line SL), and another sideof the document page D12 parallel to the sub-scanning directioncoincides with the second reference side RS2. Therefore, when the normalreading is performed in this state, an output image corresponding to thedocument page D11 (e.g. an image printed on the paper sheet P) is notinclined.

However, in the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the document page D12 isinclined. In this case, an inclined edge image of the document page D12appears in the read data of the checking area C1. As a result, in theautomatic determination process, it is determined that the readingtarget is inclined although the document page D11 is actually inclined.

Further, if the reading target is spread facing pages of a book document(e.g. a hardcover book), the following inconvenience occurs. Thisinconvenience is described below with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. FIG.11 illustrates a side view of the book document set on the settingsurface 10C, viewed from the front of the device. FIG. 12 illustrates aplan view of the book document set on the setting surface 10C, viewedfrom above.

In FIGS. 11 and 12, the hardcover is denoted by HC, one page (a leftpage) of the spread facing pages to be read is denoted by D21, and theother page (a right page) is denoted by D22. Further, in FIG. 12, thepages D21 and D22 are shown with a dot pattern. In addition, sides ofthe setting surface 10S are shown by thick lines.

Note that in the example illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the pages D21and D22 are covered by the hardcover HC. Accordingly, in FIG. 12,contours of the pages D21 and D22 are shown by broken lines.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, the hardcover HC is notinclined. However, the page D21 is inclined within the contour of thehardcover HC (the page D22 is not inclined). In this case, the edgeimage of the hardcover HC that is not inclined is detected as thedetermination target. As a result, in the automatic determinationprocess, it is determined that the reading target is not inclinedalthough the document page D21 is actually inclined.

In this way, a determination error may occur in the automaticdetermination process. Therefore, like the structure of this embodiment,it is preferred to display the preview image P1 so that the user canvisually check an inclination of the set document D.

Further, in the structure of this embodiment, as described above, theline along one of a pair of sides facing in the sub-scanning directionof the setting surface 10S (the first reference side RS1) is set as theread start line SL in the normal reading. Further, the control unit 4controls the image reader unit 1 to start the check reading from theread start line SL. Here, the document D is set on the setting surface10S normally in such a manner that one side of the document D is alongthe first reference side RS1. Therefore, by displaying the preview imageP1 of the read data obtained by reading a certain number of linescorresponding to the sub-scanning direction length of the checking areaC1 from the first reference side RS1 (the read start line SL), the usercan check whether or not the set document D is inclined. In this way, itis preferred to control the image reader unit 1 to start the checkreading from the read start line SL.

Further, in the structure of this embodiment, as described above, aftercontrolling the touch screen 31 to display the preview image P1, thecontrol unit 4 controls the image reader unit 1 to perform the normalreading when the operation panel 3 receives the permission operation(the operation of pressing the start button 32 again). In other words,after controlling the touch screen 31 to display the preview image P1,the control unit 4 does not control the image reader unit 1 to performthe normal reading until the operation panel 3 receives the permissionoperation. In this way, it is possible to prevent occurrence ofinconvenience that the normal reading starts during the reset work.

Further, in the structure of this embodiment, as described above, aftercontrolling the touch screen 31 to display the preview image P1, thecontrol unit 4 controls the image reader unit 1 to perform the checkreading again when the predetermined time has elapsed before theoperation panel 3 receives the permission operation (the operation ofpressing the start button 32 again), and controls the touch screen 31 todisplay the preview image P1 corresponding to the read data of thechecking area C1 obtained by the latest check reading. In this way,after the reset work, without performing an additional operationinstructing to execute the check reading (an operation instructing todisplay the preview image P1), the preview image P1 indicating thelatest set state of the set document D is displayed on the touch screen31. This is convenient for the user.

Further, in the structure of this embodiment, as described above, aftercontrolling the touch screen 31 to display the preview image P1, thecontrol unit 4 controls the image reader unit 1 to perform the checkreading every predetermined time until the operation panel 3 receivesthe permission operation (the operation of pressing the start button 32again). In this way, every time when the reset work is performed, theset state of the set document D indicated by the preview image P1 ischanged to the latest set state. Therefore, the reset work can beperformed efficiently.

The embodiment disclosed in this specification is merely an example inevery aspect and should not be interpreted as a limitation. The scope ofthe present disclosure is defined not by the above description of theembodiment but by the claims, and should be understood to include allmodifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

For instance, the above embodiment describes the case of performing thecheck reading for reading only the area of one end side of the setdocument D in the sub-scanning direction (the read start line SL side),but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In addition to thecheck reading, it is possible to perform an additional check reading forreading an area of the other end side opposite to the one end side ofthe set document D in the sub-scanning direction. It may be possible forthe user to arbitrarily set whether to perform only the check reading orto perform both the check reading and the additional check reading. Theoperation panel 3 receives the setting.

When controlling the image reader unit 1 to perform the additional checkreading, the control unit 4 sets a reading area of the additional checkreading. One example of the reading area of the additional check readingis illustrated in FIG. 13. In the following description, the readingarea of the additional check reading is referred to as an additionalchecking area and is denoted by C2. Note that in FIG. 13, the documentarea is shown by a double-dotted dashed line. Further, the sub-scanningdirection length of the document area is denoted by DW1, and the mainscanning direction width of the document area is denoted by DW2.

A sub-scanning direction length of the additional checking area C2 isequal to the sub-scanning direction length W1 of the checking area C1(corresponding to the “predetermined length”). In other words, thesub-scanning direction length of the additional checking area C2 issmaller than the sub-scanning direction length of the document D thatcan be the reading target.

The main scanning direction width of the additional checking area C2 isthe same as the main scanning direction width W2 of the checking areaC1. In other words, the main scanning direction width of the additionalchecking area C2 is the same as the maximum reading width of the imagesensor 12 in the main scanning direction.

Here, a position of the additional checking area C2 in the sub-scanningdirection varies in accordance with a size of the document area (thesize of the set document D). For instance, the control unit 4 recognizesa position in the sub-scanning direction of the other side differentfrom the one side along the read start line SL (first reference sideRS1), out of a pair of sides facing in the sub-scanning direction of thedocument area. Further, the control unit 4 sets an area of thepredetermined length W1 from the other side toward the read start lineSL of the document area, as the additional checking area C2.

Further, before controlling the image reader unit 1 to perform thenormal reading, the control unit 4 controls the image reader unit 1 toperform the check reading and the additional check reading. After that,as illustrated in FIG. 14, the control unit 4 controls the touch screen31 to display the preview image P1 corresponding to the read data of thechecking area C1 obtained by the check reading, and an additionalpreview image P2 corresponding to the read data of the additionalchecking area C2 obtained by the additional check reading.

In this structure, an inclination of the set document D can be checkedat one side and at the other side in the sub-scanning direction, andhence the work of checking an inclination of the set document D can beefficiently performed. For instance, in the example shown in FIGS. 11and 12, if the page D22 is inclined, the inclination of the page D22 canbe known.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image reader device comprising: a display unitfor performing displaying; a contact glass having a setting surface onwhich a document is set; an image reader unit including a light sourcefor emitting light to the document set on the setting surface, an imagesensor for receiving reflection light reflected by the document so as toread the document, and a moving mechanism for moving the light source ina sub-scanning direction so that a reading line for the image sensor toread is moved in the sub-scanning direction, and a control unit, whereinbefore controlling the image reader unit to perform normal reading forreading a document area corresponding to a size of the document set onthe setting surface, the control unit controls the image reader unit toperform check reading for reading a checking area having a sub-scanningdirection length set to a predetermined length smaller than that of thedocument area, and controls the display unit to display a preview imagecorresponding to read data of the checking area obtained by the checkreading.
 2. The image reader device according to claim 1, wherein a linealong one of a pair of sides facing in the sub-scanning direction of thesetting surface is set as a read start line in the normal reading; andthe control unit controls the image reader unit to start the checkreading from the read start line.
 3. The image reader device accordingto claim 1, further comprising: an operation unit for receiving apredetermined permission operation, wherein when the operation unitreceives the permission operation after the control unit controls thedisplay unit to display the preview image, the control unit controls theimage reader unit to perform the normal reading.
 4. The image readerdevice according to claim 3, wherein when a predetermined time haselapsed before the operation unit receives the permission operationafter the control unit controls the display unit to display the previewimage, the control unit controls the image reader unit to perform thecheck reading again, and controls the display unit to display thepreview image corresponding to read data of the checking area obtainedby the latest check reading.
 5. The image reader device according toclaim 4, wherein after the control unit controls the display unit todisplay the preview image until the operation unit receives thepermission operation, the control unit controls the image reader unit toperform the check reading every predetermined time.
 6. The image readerdevice according to claim 1, wherein one of a pair of sides facing inthe sub-scanning direction of the document area is along a read startline, the control unit sets an area of the predetermined length from theside other than the one of a pair of sides facing in the sub-scanningdirection of the document area toward the read start line, as anadditional checking area, and before controlling the image reader unitto perform the normal reading, the control unit controls the imagereader unit to perform the check reading and additional check readingfor reading the additional checking area, and controls the display unitto display the preview image and an additional preview imagecorresponding to read data of the additional checking area obtained bythe additional check reading.